Friday, November 21, 2014

Martha Washington’s Encampment Tool Kit

While others
wielded weapons and words, Martha Washington preferred using a diminutive tool
kit when serving in close proximity to the Revolutionary battlefields near her
husband, General George Washington. A needle case or needle book was always at
her side – literally. At Valley Forge, her needle case was attached to her waistband
by a grosgrain ribbon.From this
approximately 3-inch bit of textile we glean much of her identity and efforts
to help her husband and those under his command. It is not widely known that
Martha spent substantial time every year with her husband at various
encampments, from 1775 until December 1783.Indeed, she remained with her husband close to half the time he was away
from Mount Vernon. Several of Martha’s wartime artifacts, seemingly
commonplace, have survived, and these objects powerfully link Martha to the
battlefields where the General commanded his troops.

During the dreary
and bitterly cold
winter of 1777-1778, Martha was in camp at George's side at Valley Forge.
Her concern for the troops is
documented in letters from many who were present. Throughout that bleak winter
of desolation and starvation, she comforted not only her husband, but sought to
bring some warmth and civility to the entire camp. Along with other officer's
wives, she organized and coordinated small gatherings, for repairing clothes
and knitting socks.

In this context,
the survival of her needle case or needle book, held by the Mount Vernon Ladies
Association, becomes symbolic of her commitment to her husband and her country. It is attributed to Martha Washington, c. 1777-1778, and made at Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania. It is of silk, broadcloth, buckram and silver-wrapped silk
thread. More:

The National
Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution, also holds a needle case that is thought to have belonged
to Martha. When this charming silk brocade case is unfolded, we can just make
out the imprints of the needles and pins it once housed. Some curators have suggested that this
charming artifact may even have been fashioned from remnants of an earlier
garment.

In
a letter to her friend Mercy Otis Warren, in Massachusetts, Martharevealed her positive nature, one which she
carried into Valley Forge and similar challenges: "I am still determined
to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also
learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery
depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.”